Stereotype-printing-plate-casting machine.



H. A. W. WOOD. STEREOTYPE PRINTING PLATE CASTING MACHINE.

7 SHEETSSHEET 1.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPII C0,, WASHINGTON. a. c

H. A'. W. WOOD. STEREOTYPE PRINTING PLATE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.15, 1902. Y

Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. A. W. WOOD. STEREOTYPE PRINTING PLATE CASTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR.15, 1902. 1,009,207. Patented N0v.21, 1911.

'7 BHEETS-SHEBT 3.

420 plan-11mm Invent:

COLUMBIA FLANOGRAPH cu,.w,\s c.

H. A. W. WOOD. STEREOTYPB PRINTING PLATE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15, 1902.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHBET 5.

Jizven for:

W312 986 es 00d, #orneg! COL H. A. W. WOOD. STEREOTYPE PRINTIN G PLATE CASTING MACHINE. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA PR. 15, 1902.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911 pump operating connections.

srar an FFIC HENRY A. WISE WOOD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

THE AUTOPLATE COMPANY OF AMERICA, 0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A COR- PORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

STEREOTYPE-IPBINTING-PLATE-CASTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented NOV. 21, 1911.

Application filed April 15, 1902. Serial No. 102,975.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. WISE WooD, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Stereotype-Printing-Plate-Casting Machine, of which the following is a specification.

In my Patent No. 721,117, granted Feb. 17, 1903, I have shown, described and claimed what I believe to be the first automatic stereotype printing plate casting mechanism, and have also shown cooperating therewith a plate finishing mechanism. In a further application for patent filed by me March 12, 1900, Serial No. 8,384, I have shown, described and claimed certain improvements in said stereotype printing plate casting and finishing mechanism. These latter improvements are also shown, described and claimed in English Patent, No. 2,525, of February 8, 1900. I have made certain further improvements in the stereotype casting mechanism shown, described and claimed in said prior patent and application for patent, and the same are shown, described and claimed in this application for patent and illustrated in the accompanying eleven sheets of drawings forming part thereof.

Referring to said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the casting mechanism. Fig. 2 is a plan of the heating arrangement used under the melting-pot. Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section of said heating attachment. Fig. 4. is a partial plan view, and Fig. 5 a side elevation of a mixer or agitator used in the melting-pot. Fig. 6 is a sectional View illustrating the improved construction of pump and pump operating mechanism. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the Fig. 8 is an end elevation; and Fig. 9, a sectional view of the safety device used in the pump operating mechanism. Fig. 10 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the connections and parts controlling the pump valve;

casting chamber will be closed as the segmental back moves up and so that the flexible matrix will be properly positioned therein. The pump is then operated to force a charge of molten stereotype metal into the casting chamber. The semi-cylindrical printing plate thus cast is cooled by circulating water through the core and segmental back. The segmental back then drops to open the casting chamber. The flexible matrix in opened out from its semi-cylindrical shape to unwind or strip from the surface of the cast plate without destroying or injuring its delicate type face. The cylindrical core is then given a half turn to remove the stereotype printing plate from the casting chamber. A lifter then raises the plate from what is then the upper surface of the core or cylinder, and a conveyer then slides the plate along for the finishing operations. By the half turn thus imparted to the core or cylinder, the other part thereof will be brought into the casting chamber for the next operation. After the core or cylinder has its half turn to deliver the first plate,

the segmental back rises to close the casting chamber, and the flexible matrix is positioned therein in proper semi-cylindrical shape for the next cast. The cycle of operations is now repeated on this other half of the cylindrical core or cylinder. In this way a number of semi-cylindrical stereotype printing plates are rapidly and accurately cast from the same flexible matrix.

In my application for Patent, No. 8,384, and in said English Patent, No. 2,525, of 1900, operating connect-ions and gearing for actuating the foregoing named parts are shown and particularized at length. This present application relates chiefly to improving these actuating connections. In this specification and in the drawings forming part of this application only enough of the mechanism is shown to enable a person skilled in the art to understand the improve;

ments herein claimed. The same reference letters and figures used in said prior application, No. 8,384, are used in this case to refer to the same parts so far as the same are applicable. The new parts or the modifications of the old parts, which constitute the subject matter of the present improvements, are designated by reference figures, commencing with the number 400.

The mechanism illustrated in the drawings will now be described, and from such description a clear understanding will be had of the present improvements. These improvements will be more specifically pointed out at the end of this specification and particularized in the claims at the end hereof.

Referring to the drawings, and in detail, A designates the framing.

Q designates the melting-pot, which is made up of a suitable base, arranged in the top of which is a melting reservoir 60. Openings 400 are arranged in the frame or base, below the reservoir, and guides or supports 40110l are arranged above and below the same to support sliding doors 402. These doors may be slid to uncover said openings, so that the burners may be lighted or so that the flame can be inspected. Extending from a suitable source of supply, is a gas pipe 403. Extending therefrom are two branch pipes 404, each of which branch pipes is connected to a base-pipe 405. Extending in from each base-pipe, are a series of leading-in pipes 406, four being shown as constituting each series. Each of these pipes 406 is provided with a number of burners 407 arranged in position under the reservoir 60. A valve 408 is arranged in each branch gas pipe.

409 designates an air supply pipe. The same connects by branches 410 to each of the branch gas pipes 404. A valve 411 is arranged in each branch air pipe 410 to control the supply of air passing to each series of burners. In this way a powerful burner is provided under the reservoir. Each of the series of gas burners can be independently adjusted or regulated so that the reservoir can be heated more on one side than on the other and this difference adj usted at will. I have found this to be a desirable feature, as the pump hereinafter described is set to the left-hand side of the reservoir; and, by supplying more heat to the right-hand side of the reservoir, as shown in Fig. 1, the melting of the metal when the machine is running will be done at the side of the reservoir away from the pump.

The melting-pot is provided with a suitable smoke or vent pipe at its rear to carry away the products of combustion. Arranged on the rear end of the base which forms the melting-pot is a bracket 412. A stud 413 is secured in said bracket. Run ning on said stud is a pulley 414, which is connected to a worm 415, said pulley and worm being connected together to turn as one part on said stud 413. The pulley 414 is belted to any suitable source of power or to any suitable part of the machine. The worm 415 meshes with a worm-wheel 416 arranged on a horizontal shaft 417 journaled in said bracket 412. On the end of said shaft is arranged a bevel gear 418, which meshes with a gear 419 secured on an upright shaft 420 journaled in said bracket 412 and extending down into the reservoir 60. On the end of said shaft 420 isarranged a mixer or stirrer 421 constructed like a propeller wheel. By this construction, the mixer will be slowly rotated during the operation of the machine, and the content-s of the reservoir will be kept agitated and circulating to provide an even, homogeneous molten condition thereof.

P designates the pump, which is arranged in the melting reservoir 60, near the side thereof, toward the casting chamber. The pump consists of a cylinder 66, extending up from which is a spout or out-let passage 422. This outlet passage extends up in the reservoir to a height above the level of the molten metal therein. The throat 1' isarranged between this outlet passage 422 and the casting chamber. Thus the joint between the pump and the throat is always above the level of the metal in the meltingpot, so that the pump can be handily removed when the metal is in molten condition, for the purpose of repair or adjustment.

67 designates a slider, which is arranged in vertical guide-ways, as is described in said application for patent, No. 8,384 and in said British patent. Extending from said slider is a piston rod 68. Secured on the lower end of the piston rod is a piston 69. This piston is preferably made of a piece of metal, as cast iron. The same has one or more, preferably two, grooves 423 turned therein. These grooves are formed so as to prevent the accumulation of dross or dirt between the piston and cylinder. The under side of the piston or plunger 69 is made conical, as at 424, to prevent the accumulation of dross or dirt underneath the same. That is, when the piston is forced to the bottom of the cylinder, the dirt or dross, which is lighter than the molten metal, will fiow off to the sides thereof and thus clear of the piston. The upper end of the pump cylinder 66 is made tapered as at 425 as indicated by dotted line in Fig. 10. That is, the same tapers in from the bore in which the piston fits, to prevent and avoid the accumulation.

of any dirt or dross in the upper end of the cylinder. The apex of said tapered end is made to coincide with the inlet 90, so that the dross or dirt will be forced out of the cylinder when the piston operates with the valve 91 open. The piston rod 68 is connected to a link 70 by means of a pin. The upper end of the link connects by a pin 71 to a double-pronged bell-crank lever 72, which is fitted on a shaft 73 journaled in the framing.

74 designates the cam shaft, arranged on which is the pump-cam J. A roller 75, engages the groove of the cam. This roller is arranged on a pivoted lever 76, which connects by link 77 to an arm 78 arranged on a shaft 79. Extending from said shaft is a lever 80, which connects by a pin 81 to a double-armed spider 82, having extending arms 83, which are fitted on draw-bars 84. A pin 85 extends through the ends of said draw-bars and also through the prongs of the upper part of the bell-crank lever 72. The end of the spider is made in the form of a yoke 86 fitting on said pin 85. Springs 87 are arranged on said draw-bars 84 beyond the spider arms 83, and the tension of said springs is adjusted by nuts 88. A tyingpiece 89 connects the ends of the draw-bars 84. The end of the spider projects through said tying-piece.

This construction is substantially the same as shown and described in said prior application for patent, except that the operating lever 80 has an adjustable connection to the spider 82, whereby the pump piston can be given more or less stroke, as desired, so that more or less metal can be forced over into the casting chamber. This adjustment is provided as follows: The lever 80 is made in the form of a yoke 426, fitting in which is a block 427, which carries the pin 81, which connects the lever 80 to the two arms of the spider 82. This block is adjustable by means of screws 428, which are held in their adjusted position by means of nuts 429. By properly manipulating said screws and nuts, the stroke of the pump piston -or plunger can be adjusted for the purpose before named. To provide a safety device, the pump-connecting arm 78 is made in the form of a hub 430, which is keyed to the end of the shaft 79, on which the operating arm 80 is keyed. Said hub has projecting wings 431. The arm proper 78 is loosely fitted on said hub 430, and said arm 78 is provided with projections 432. Pins 433 are driven in through said wings or projections. These pins are strong enough to take the strain of the regular operation of the pump, but

are sheared off if the pump should meet an undue strain, for example, if it should be attempted to start the machine when the metal in the melting-pot was in a solid condition. Otherwise, or without the pins, if

pump plunger to properly pour the metal 7 into the mold, and thereafter gives it a slow continued motion suflicient to maintain a pressure on the metal in the casting chainher to compensate for leakage of the piston and to keep a peculiar pressure on the metal in the casting chamber against the flexible matrix as the plate solidifies. This will give plates with a particularly accurate and hard type face, and adds materially to the efiiciency of the machine. This operation also helps the cooling of the plate as the continued pressure keeps the metal in the casting chamber as the same solidifies in intimate contact with the water cooled core. From the radius 436 to the radius 437 the piston is lowered for the next supply, and from the radius 437 to the radius 434 the piston remains in its lowermost position in the pump cylinder to allow the fresh charge to fall into the pump cylinder.

In actual practice the cam is made 90 between the radii 434 and 435 for the principal upward movement of the piston; 110 between the radii 435 and 436 for the peculiar continuing of the pressure; 7 0 between the radii 436 and 437 for the return of the pump piston to its lowest position; and 90 between the radii 437 and 434 for the dwell of the pump piston in its lowermost position. The pump cylinder 66 is provided with an inlet passage 90. This inlet is controlled by a valve 91 arranged on a valve-rod 92. The bearing surface 438 is reduced to a sharp edge, so that any dross or dirt getting underthe same will offer no obstruction to the tight closing thereof. The valve-rod 92 is provided with a dog 94 on the top thereof. A small shaft 95 is journaled in the framing above said dog and is provided with a projecting finger 96 to engage said dog. Said shaft 95 has an extending lever 97, which connects by link 98, bell-crank lever 99, link 100, to the end of the casting box starting and stopping handle F, in substantially the same manner as is shown and described in said prior application for Patent, No. 8,384, so that when said handle F is raised to stop the operation of the casting mechanism, the valve 91 will be held in its lowest position, so that, although the pump piston continues to move up and A small shaft 102 is j ournaled in the framing. The same carries a locking arm 103. On the end of said shaft 102 is arranged a' lever 104, which connects by rod 105, having a knob 106 arranged on the end thereof, to the front of the machine, said rod 105 being supported in a guide 107 in the manner shown and described in said prior application for patent, whereby the operator can, at will, stop the operation of the pump, although the remaining parts of the machine go through their motions.

The valve 91 is counter-balanced to operate properly. In other words, when the piston moves down, the valve will open to allow the molten metal to flow into the pump cylinder; and, when the piston moves up, the valve will close under pressure. This counter-balancing has to be very accurately adjusted, and the same is arranged as follows: Teeth 489 are cut on the dog 94. These teeth engage a partial gear 440 arranged on a stud or pin 441 projecting from the pump frame. Projecting from this partial gear 440 is a screw-rod 442 on which are threaded weights 443. By adjusting these weights back and forth on the screw-rod 442, the operation of the valve can be accurately determined. Said partial gear 440 has a notch 444 into which the arm 103 engages when the knob 406 is pulled out to keep the valve in its lowest or inoperative position. The end of the throat terminates in a nozzle 111 forming a chamber 112, which extends for the proper width to match the casting chamber. This chamber and the outlet passage 445, from which the metal pours into the casting chamber, are so made that they incline downward toward the pump, so that all metal that is not cooled to form the plate will run back to the pump when the plunger recedes or moves down ward. This forms an important point, as it will absolutely insure a proper breaking point or edge to the cast-plate. The throatand pump are moved back and forth in the melting-pot by the connections from the shaft 114 described in said prior application, No. 8,884 and in said British patent. The nozzle is provided with the same kind of knife edges 123 and cooling holes 125. A sheet-metal guard 446 is arranged above the nozzle, as shown in Fig. 11, to keep the gas-jets which heat the nozzle in proper position.

The operation of the machine as a whole can be readily followed from said prior patent and English patent, and the operation, construction and use of improvements hereinbefore described are obvious from the detailed particulars thereof.

A summary of these improvements is as follows: A melting furnace heated by two series of gas burners arranged to properly regulate the heat, each series being independently regulable; a mixer, operated by suitable gearing and belt from the machine or other power, extending down into the melting-pot to keep the molten metal properly stirred; the joint between the pump and throat being made above the level of metal in melting-pot so as to be handily uncoupled; a pump plunger made of one piece with a number of grooves turned in its circumference, said grooves being of a shape to prevent the accumulation of dirt. The under side of the piston being conical to avoid accumulation of dirt; the upper end of the pump cylinder being made tapering within to avoid any accumulation of dirt; the pump operating lever, having an adjustable connection to give the pump piston more or less motion as required; a pump connecting arm made of a hub keyed to a shaft on to which said arm is arranged and attached thereto by pins which are strong enough to take the strain of the regular operation of the pump but which are sheared 01f if the pump is started with the metal cold, which starting would otherwise break 90 some part of machine; a pump cam which at first imparts to the pump plunger a motion to properly pour the metal into the mold, and thereafter gives it a slower motion sufficient to maintain a pressure on the metal and compensate for leakage of plunger; a pump valve wit-h its surface of contact reduced to a sharp edge so that dirt will offer no obstruction to the tight closing thereof; a counter-balance for the pump 100 valve, having an adjustable weight; and the mouth from which the metal pours into the casting chamber being made so that its aperture inclines downward toward the pump, so that all metal which has not cooled to 'form the plate, runs-back into the pump when the plunger recedes.

The improvements herein shown, described and claimed may be modified and changed by a skilled mechanic, without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the claims.

Having thus fully described my improvements, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. In stereotyping apparatus, the combination of a melting pot, a pump arranged therein, a mixer arranged at the side of the pump and two series of gas burners one arranged under the pump and the other ar- I20 ranged under the mixer, said series being in dependently regulable whereby melting may take place away from the pump and the molten metal circulated to the pump.

2. In stereotyping apparatus, a melting- 25 pot, a pump therein, a spout forming part of the pump, a casting chamber, a throat connecting said pump and casting chamber, the joint between the pump and throat being made near the top of the pot whereby it is located above the level of the metal therein.

3. In stereotyping apparatus, a melting pot, a pump therein having a spout, a casting chamber, a throat connecting said pump and casting chamber, said pump and throat being connected together and the joint between them being located near the top of the pot and above the highest level of metal therein, and a plunger in said pump, the under side of said plunger being conical to prevent the accumulation of dirt and dross thereunder.

4. In a stereotyping apparatus the combination of a melting pot, a pump comprising a cylinder arranged therein, and a piston having an upwardly beveled lower face adapted to pass below the lower end of the pump cylinder to force the dross and dirt' to the side of the cylinder to allow the same to float upwardly.

5. In stereotyping apparatus, a lifting pump, comprising an open-ended cylinder and a piston working therein, the under side of the piston being made conical to force the dirt or dross underneath the same to one side when said piston is at the bottom of said cylinder.

6. In stereotyping apparatus, a pump, comprising a cylinder and piston, said cylinder having an inwardly tapering upper end above the bore in which the piston works, to prevent the accumulation of dross.

7. In stereotyping apparatus, a pump, comprising a cylinder and piston, said pump having an inlet valve and outlet passage arranged in its upper end, the upper end of said cylinder being made tapering to prevent the accumulation of dross.

8. In stereotyping apparatus, a pump, comprising a cylinder and piston, said cylinder having an inlet valve in its upper end to one side of the piston rod, the upper end of the pump cylinder being made tapering toward said valve to prevent the accumula' tion of dross.

9. In stereotyping apparatus, a pump, comprising a cylinder and piston, a cam, a bell-crank-lever oscillated by said cam, an adjustable block in one arm of said bellcrank lever, a pin in said adjustable block, and connections therefrom to the pump piston.

10. In stereotyping apparatus, the combination of a pump, a castlng chamber, and

means for operating said pump to first impart a motion to the pump to force the metal into the mold and thereafter to give the pump a continued slow motion sufiicient to maintain pressure on the casting chamber during the cooling of the cast.

11. In stereotyping apparatus, the combination with a casting chamber, of means for forcing metal into said castin chamber and thereafter slowly continuing t e application ing chamber.

13. In stereotyping apparatus, the combination of a pump, a casting chamber, a connection between the pump and casting chamber, a cam and connections from the cam to operate the pump piston, said cam having a surface to impart a quick motion to the pump to force the body of metal into the mold, a surface to impart a continued slow motion to the pump to maintain the pressure in the mold during the solidifying of the cast, and 'a surface adapted to move the pump back to its original position for the next cast. a

14. In stereotyping apparatus, the combination of the pump, a casting chamber, a connection from the pump to the casting chamber, a cam and connections therefrom to operate the pump, said cam having a surface to impart the principal motion to the pump to force the metal into the mold, a surface to thereafter slowly continue the motion of the pump to maintain pressure in the mold while the cast is solidifying, a surface restoring the pump to position for the next operation, and a surface holding the pump in this position.

15. In stereotyping apparatus, the combination of a pump, a casting chamber, a connection from the pump to the casting chamber, a cam and connections therefrom to operate the pump, said cam having an abrupt rise, as between the radii 434 and 435, to impart the principal movement to the pump, a continued slow rise, as between the radii 435 and 436, to continue the motion of the pump slowly and maintain pressure in the casting chamber while the cast solidifies, and a drop, as between the radii 436 and 434, to bring the pump back for the next operation.

16. In stereotyping apparatus, the combination of a pump comprising a cylinder and piston, said pump having a valve seat and an induction valve with its surface of contact reduced to a sharp edge.

17. In stereotyping apparatus, a lifting pump having a valve seat in the upper end thereof, and an induction valve having its surface of contact reduced to a sharp edge.

18. A stereotyping apparatus having a pump arranged in a melting pot and provided with an induction valve having a sharp edged seat thereon.

19. A stereotyping apparatus having a pump arranged in a melting pot provided with an induction valve having a circular sharp edged metallic seat on the upper side thereof.

20. In stereotyping apparatus, a lifting pump, an induction valve therefor, and a counter-balance for the said valve.

21. In stereo-typing apparatus, a lifting pump having an induction valve, and an adjustable counter-weight for said valve.

22. In stereotyping apparatus, a lifting pump having an induction valve, teeth formed on the valve-rod thereof, a gear engaging said teeth, a screw projecting from said gear, and adjustable counter-weights threaded on said screw.

23. In stereotyping apparatus, a lifting ranged on the rod carrying said Valve, a

gear engaging said teeth, a counter-weight carried by said gear, a finger having connectio-ns whereby the same may be moved into and out of operative position, and a notch or projection arranged on said gear, whereby, when the said finger is moved into operative position, said valve will be held from operating.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

H. A. WISE WOOD.

Vitnesses THos. H. GUNNING, ANNIE B. WALTERS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

